Esketamine's Therapeutic Effect on Anhedonia: A Post-hoc of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Square July 20, 2026 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-10020524/v1 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial, esketamine was associated with a reduction in anhedonia symptoms, as measured by the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale, compared to placebo. The effect was observed in patients with treatment-resistant depression who had not responded to prior antidepressant therapy. The findings suggest that esketamine may have a specific therapeutic effect on anhedonia, a core symptom of depression characterized by loss of interest or pleasure.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial, post-hoc analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with treatment-resistant depression |
| Intervention | Esketamine |
| Key finding | Esketamine reduced anhedonia symptoms compared to placebo in patients with treatment-resistant depression. |
Abstract
Esketamine's Therapeutic Effect on Anhedonia: A Post-hoc of a Randomized Controlled Trial